Luggage carrier



Feb, 7, 1959 M. E. MORSCHER LUGGAGE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1948 FIG. 2

FIG.7

. INVENTOR. MAE E. MORSCHER WM L -0W ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 34.9% M. E. MORSCHER LUGGAGE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1948 26a, 35a, Za

INVENTOR. MAE E. MORSCH ER ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 7, 195 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LUGGAGE CARRIER Mae E. Morscher, Chicago,. Ill.

Application January 29, 1948, Serial No. 5,111-

'7 Claims ((1224-43)- This invention relates to luggage carriers. and more particularly to luggage rolls. of the type which are especially well adapted. to beused as a shopping bag or as a yalise' for useat' picnics; or on the swimming beach, and the like, to carry blankets, towels, wearing apparel and. like articles of luggage.

Luggage rolls, in and of themselves, are not broadly new. However, luggage rolls heretofore known have had certain disadvantages. such as, for example, being of relatively great weight; presenting a cumbersome unsightly appearance; beingbulky and cumbersome to handle; being relatively difiicult to operate; or embodying a construction whereby, when they were rolled up; loose, dangling strap ends, cords, or'thezlike re.- mained hanging on the outside inan undesirable manner.

A principal object of my invention. is toenable a luggage roll to be constructed in a. manner which obviates the aforementioned, and. other, disadvantages of lug age rolls heretoforeknown. Another object of my invention is to provide a novel luggage roll which may be quickly and.

easily adjusted in size, in a novel and expeditiousmanner, to-conform tothe quantity of luggage to be carried.

A further object of my invention is to provide a luggage carrier of the aforementioned type which, when adjusted toeither large or small size, forms a compact roll devoid of looseexternalflaps and the like.

Another object of my invention is toprovide a luggage carrier of the aforementioned type embodying novel means for fasteningthe carrier in roll form.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel luggage roll wherein the body thereof may be constructedin a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object of my invention is to afforda novel luggage carrier of the aforementioned type which is practical and efllcient in operation,

presents a pleasing appearance, and may bereadily and economically manufacturedcom-- merciall'y.

Other and further objects of the present in-' the best mode in which I have" contemplated Other embodiments of the invention embodying'the-same or' equivae applying those principles.

iii

claims.

In. the drawings:.

Fig. 1- i512. erspective view of a luggage carrier.- embodying: the principle; of. my invention, and showing: the luggage: carrier as it appears when packed with articlesof luggage;

Fig. 2 is a. plan. view showing the outside of the: luggage carrier; shown in Fig. I as. it appears when. laid out: fiat;

Fig. 3 is. a sectional view taken substantially along the line-3-$-in Fig.1;

Fig- 4 is-anenlarged detail sectional viewtaken substantially along the line;-4--4. in Fig. 1;

Fig. 51s a detail sectional view taken substantially' along the lined-5' in- Fig. 6;:

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of a part of the fastening means shown. in; Fig. 4

Fig; '1 is an enlarged; detail view showing the hook'membershown in Fig. 4;.

Fig. 8 isaperspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of myinvention;

Fig. 9 isa plan view, similar. to Fig. 2; ofv the luggage roll shownflin Fig. 8;

Fig; 10 is. asectional view taken substantially along the. linelfl--l0 in Fig; 8;,

Fig 11' is anenlarged detail sectional view of parts shown in.Fig..10.;.

, Fig; 121is. a. detail: plan view of: the: fastening means shown in Fig. 11.

A luggage carrier 20 is shown in Figs. 1 to. 7, inclusive, of the: accompanyingdrawingsto=.illustrate: a preferred embodiment of my invention, and: comprises, in general, abody'membersB and a handle H; The; body member. B is adaptedto be arranged in roll form to afford means [for encasing articles ofluggage L, Fig. 1, to be transported in the carrier 20, and the handle 11- is attached thereto and affords convenient means for handling the carrier 20, all of which will'be discussed in greater detail presently. The handle I-Lmay be made of; any one of several. suitable materials such as leather, steel and the like, but I: prefer to make it of a suitable plastic material such asa phenol formaldehyde resin.

The. body member B-comprises-a cover member 22- whichconsists of a. substantially rectangularshapedsheet. member 24 having a plurality of reinforcing straps-26 directly" attached thereto by any suitable means such as by sewing the end edge portions, and longitudinal edge portions,- of

the straps 26 to the sheet member 24 along lines 28, 29, 3| and 32, respectively, Fig. 2.

The sheet member 24 and the strap members 26 may be made of any suitable flexible material such as, for example, a suitable plastic material, canvas-duck, soft leather or the like, the primary requirements of the material being that it be sufficiently flexible and have suflicient strength and resistance towear. In practice, I prefer to construct the sheet member 24 and the strap members 26 of a plastic material such as, for ex ample, elastomeric vinyl sheeting, this material affording a pleasing appearanc and having the requisite flexibility, strength, durability and other "*luggage. The luggage and free end 4| are then characteristics desired in a material used for this purpose. However, it will be understood that the previously mentioned materials are -set forth merely by way of illustration and not by way of 4 limitation, and that other suitable materials, having the proper characteristics, may be used to construct the sheet member 24 and the strap members 26 without departin from the purview of my invention. Moreover, if desired, the straps 26 may be formed as'integral parts of the sheet 24 or as mere outlined areas upon the sheet 24.

An elongated reinforcing member 33, formed. or' any suitable material such as a phenol formaldehyde resin, is mounted on one end portion 35 of the sheet member 24 and affords a rigid stiifening member to which the handle H may be connected by suitable means such as rivets 31. The end portion 35 of the sheet member 24 is preferably folded over the Stifiening member 33and sewed along a line. 39 to afiord a suitable sleeve for covering the reinforcing member 33.

: The other end 4| of the cover member 22 comprises ;a free end portion which is rolled under, or inside of, the end 35 when my luggage carrier is being used as will be discussed in greater detail presently;

A plurality of openings 43, Figs. 2 and 5, are

formed ineach of the straps 26, and a collar member or eyelet 45,'Fig. 5, is preferably mounted in'each-of the openings 43 to reinforce the peripheral edge portions of the :latter. The collar members -45'imayJbe' any one of several types which are well known in the art, the type which I prefer to use and which'is shown in the drawings, Fig. 5, comprising .an annular member 41; from which. two flanges'48 and 49 project, the flanges 48 and 49 affording means by which the collars are connected to theportions ofv the straps 26 defining the peripheral edges of the openings 43. v A plurality of hook members 5|, project from and form an integral .part of the reinforcing member 33. Each of the hook members 5| pro-- jects from the 'end portion 35 of the cover member 22 in alignment with a respective one of the reinforcing straps 26 and is operable to engage the collar members 45 in the openings 43 formed in that strap to thereby afiord means for securing the luggage carrier in rolled form, Figs. 1 and 4h The openings 43 are preferably formed in the straps 26 at regular intervals from the free end portion 4| of the cover member 22 to that point on the straps at which the hook members 5| will be positioned when the luggage carrier is rolled tightly upon itself with no luggage positioned therein. 'With the openings 43 spaced in this manner it will be seen that my novel luggage carrier may be adjusted to any one of several sizes between tightly rolled position and fully open position. 7

If desired, the openings 43 may be extended through the straps 26 and the underlying portions of the sheet member 24, and the collar members may be disposed in the openings in such a manner that the flanges 48 and 49 clamp the straps 26 and the sheet member 24 together. However, I prefer to construct my novel luggage carrier with the openings extending through the reinforcing straps 26 only, so that the sheet member 24 affords a lining which separates the hook members 5| from the luggage positioned in the 4| of the cover member 22 is pulled over the rolled toward the handle H, making a relatively tight roll. The hook members 5| are then engaged with the adjacent collar members 45 and a snugly packed and compact luggage carrier such as that shown in Fig. l'is thus made ready for transportation, the handle H remaining inoutwardlydisposed position to afford a readily available hand-grip by which the luggage roll maybe carried.

The several hook members 5|, in my novel luggage carrier, are all quickly and easily engageable with, or disengageable from, the edge portions of the respective openings 43 in one quick operation by a simple movement of the handle H, to thereby movethe reinforcing member 33 and the hook members 5| in a proper direction relative to the openings 43. Thus it will be seen that the fastening members of my novel luggage carrier afiords means which may be quickly and easily engaged with, or disengaged from, each other, so that my novel luggage carrier may be closed, opened, or adjusted in size, in a novel and expeditious manner not heretofore known.

From: the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel luggage carrier which is constructed in a novel and improved manner, and which obviates many of the disadvantages, both in construction and operation, present in luggage carriers heretofore known.

Modified form of luggage carrier shown in Figs.

8 to 12, inclusive comprises a body member Ba and a handle member Ha.

The body member Ba, like the body member B shown in Figs-1 to 7, comprises an elongatedcover member 22a having a stiffening member 33a mounted in one end 35a thereof. The cover member 22a comprises a plurality of strip members I24 connected together with strap members 25a.- The strip members I24 and the strap members 26a, like the sheet member 24 and the straps 26 previously discussed, may be made of any suit-.

able material such as, for example, a suitable plastic, cotton-duck, leather, or the like, al-.

though, as previously discussed I prefer to make these members out of a suitable plastic material such as, for example, elastomeric vinyl sheeting.

The reinforcing member 33a is enclosed in the strip I24 on the end 350. of the cover member 22a and affords a suitable stiffening member to which,

as the handle Ha is attached by rivets 31a.

i A plurality of hook members sm,= similhr t'athe hook members 5| shown in 'Figs.- 1 toam; elusive, form an integral part of the reinforoinl member 33a, and project therefrom'in alignment.-

with respective straps" 26a; Loop:- members 3,

w iiilllreinforcing member, each of said other fast'eningmembers beingipositionedion.said reinforeing member in alignment with an respece tire one of; said first mentioned fastening meme preferably made of the same material asthe strips-I24 and'the straps 26a, areattachedto the straps 26a by any suitable: means such" as by-"sew ing along the lines-7B and H', Fig.-l2, andi'aflord fastening elements which are engageable' bythehook members 5la in a manner'which is-siin'ilai:v

to that in which the hook members 51 areem gageable with the peripheral edgeportion ofi openings 43;

' The operation of the modified form ofmyin.-

vention shown in Figs; 8130-12, inclusive, iBFSlfif stantiall y: the same as that ofthe preferred'derm of my inventionshown in- Figs. 1 to '7, the cover member 22a affording an effective member. for enclosing. luggage to be carried, and thei'astemi liers an'd:operahle'to-be releasably engaged there!- whezr said cover' member isrolled a predea t erminedi amount:- to thereby releasably' hold said cover memberin said rolled position.

lit a; plurality of substantially parallel rows, anda; plurality of other fastening members mounted eover'member, each oi -said other: fasteningmeming elements 51a and M3 aifordingmeans-whi'ch may be quickly and easily engaged with, or disengaged f'rom, each other by one simple movement of the handle Ha and the reinforcing member 33a, and thereby affording means for quickly and easily opening and closing, or varying: the adjustment of, the luggage carrier d.

It will be understood that although I have shown the'cover member ZZaascomprising strips I24, I do not intend to limit myself theretosothnl' forms of construction, such as, for example, sheet members of the type disclosed in Figs. 1 to 7 being equally suitable, the important feature being that with my novel construction the cover member 22a may be made of fabric material, flexible plastic materials or the like to afford a novel and practical luggage carrier.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a novel luggage carrier wherein the cover member thereof may be constructed of a sheet of suitable material in a novel and expeditious manner.

Also it will be seen that my novel luggage carrier embodies practical and novel fastening means which may be quickly engaged and disengaged to thereby afford means for quickly and easily closing and opening the carrier.

Furthermore, it will be seen that I have provided a novel luggage carrier which is compact in form and wherein any excess material is enclosed in the carrier itself so that no undesirable loose or dangling cords, straps, flaps, or the like, are present on the outside of the carrier.

In addition, it will be seen that I have provided a novel luggage carrier which may be economically manufactured commercially and affords a novel and practical piece of luggage which presents a pleasing appearance.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A luggage carrier comprising an elongated cover member adapted to be rolled into a substantially cylindrical form, a handle comprising a hand-grip member and a reinforcing member connected to one end of said cover member, a plurality of fastening members positioned on said cover member in spaced relation to each other, and a plurality of other fastening members conandeproie'cting; from one end portion of said hers being positioned in alignment with a correspending row of said first mentioned? fastening "members," said: other fastening membersbeing complementary tor-saidiirst mentioned fastening. members fnsaid corresponding rowand engage able witlr predetermined QnesthereQf when said Beyer member is rolled into a predeterminedpositiomsaid one end portion of said-cover momharming-operable; uponpredetermined movement thereof to": movesaid" other" fastening members into and out" of engagementwith said predetermined first mentioned fastening members.

3; A1 luggage carrier comprising an: elongated cover: member operable' to be: rolled upon itself and. having; a plurality of openings formed in said cover memberin' spaced relation to each other and in a plurality of parallel rows, a plurality of fastening members mounted on one hd portion of said cover member, each of said fastening members being aligned with a respectiye one of said rows and having a hook-shaped pbrtion releasably engageable with the portions of said cover member defining said openings in said respective rows when said cover member is in predetermined rolled positions to thereby rel'asably hold said cover member in said predetermined positions.

3-4. In a luggage carrier an elongated cover member comprising a pliable elongated sheet member and a plurality of reinforcing straps attached to said sheet member and extending longitudinally thereof in parallel spaced relation to each other, each of said straps having a plurality of openings formed therein in spaced relation to each other, a reinforcing member attached to one end of said cover member, said cover member being adapted to be rolled upon itself from the other end thereof toward said one endp-and a plurality of hook members projecting from said reinforcing member, each of said hook members being positioned in alignment with the openings in a corresponding one of said strap members and being operatively engageable therein with said cover member to hold said cover member in predetermined rolled positions, said reinforcing member being manually movable through a predetermined range relative to said aeo'noss fastening members mounted lonisaid cover meme ber and spaced from'each other laterally of said cover member, and a plurality of hook members mounted on one end portion of said cover member and projecting therefrom, each of said hook members being aligned with a corresponding one of said fastening members and adapted to be operatively engaged therewith when said cover member is in .a predetermined tubular form to thereby releasably hold said cover member in said form, said end portion of said cover member being operable upon a predetermined movement thereof, when said cover member is in said predetermined tubular form, to pull said hook members into, and push saidhook members out of, said operative engagement with said fastening members.

6. A luggage carrier comprising an elongated pliable cover member adapted to be rolled onto itself to form a substantially tubular-shaped carrying body, and fastening means for releasably holding said body in such a rolled form, said fastening means comprising a plurality of loop members mounted in spaced relation on :said cover member in a plurality of parallel rows, and a plurality of hook members mounted on and projecting from one end portion of said cover member, each of said hook members being positioned in alignment with a respective one of said rows of loop members and being operatively engageable with the loops in said cover member being movable through a predetermined range of movementfand being operable during such movement to move said plurality of hook members into and out of said operative engagement with selected loop members.

' 7, In a luggage carrier an elongated cover member comprising a plurality of pliable transverseslats interconnected by .a plurality of pliable longitudinally extending straps, a plurality of loop members mounted on said straps, a reinforcing bar mounted in one end of said cover member. said one end of said cover member being movable through a predetermined range of movement relative to said loops, and a plurality of hook members attached to said reinforcing member and projecting from said one end of said cover member, each of said hook members being positioned in alignment with a respective strap member, said one end of said cover member being operable upon said movement through said predetermined range to move said plurality of hook members into and out of hooked engagement with preselected loop members.

MAE E. MORSCHER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Croiford et al Apr. 12, 1881 Number 

